Chrysanthemum plant named Starfire

ABSTRACT

A chrysanthemum cultivar named Starfire having flat capitulum form, decorative capitulum type, white ray floret color, diameter across face of capitulum up to 75 mm., tall plant height, spreading branching pattern, average natural season flowering date of September 15, and average flowering response period of seven (7) weeks in photoperiodic controlled short day programs.

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar ofChrysanthemum morifolium, Ramat., hereinafter referred to by thecultivar name Starfire.

Starfire is a product of a planned breeding program which had theobjective of creating cultivars with decorative capitulum type, mediumheight, spreading branching pattern, durable inflorescence, seven (7)week flowering response period, and white ray floret color under outdoornatural season conditions.

Starfire was originated from a cross made by Grace H. Mack in acontrolled breeding program in New Canaan, Conn. in the year 1975. Thefemale parent was 996, white decorative, unnamed seedling from a crossof M770 × Jackpot (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 3,277). The male parent was 128,white decorative, unnamed seedling from a cross of Snowbound × PixieCushion (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 3,454).

Starfire was discovered and selected as a flowering plant within theprogeny of the stated cross by William E. Duffett in April 1976 in acontrolled greenhouse in Barberton, Ohio.

The first act of asexual reproduction of Starfire was accomplished whenvegetative cuttings were taken from the initial selection in 1976 inBarberton, Ohio by William E. Duffett. Horticultural examination ofselected units initiated in 1977 has demonstrated that the combinationof characteristics as herein disclosed for Starfire are firmly fixed andare retained through successive generations of asexual reproduction.

Starfire has not been observed under all possible environmentalconditions. The phenotype may vary significantly with variations inenvironment such as temperature, light intensity, and day length. Thefollowing observations, measurements, and comparisons describe plantsgrown in a field in Salinas, Calif.

Rooted cuttings were established in soil in one gallon containersmaintained outdoors under the natural temperature and day lengthprevailing during July through September. Single pinching was practicedwith all branches and buds retained.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe basic characteristics of Starfire which in combination distinguishthis chrysanthemum as a new and distinct cultivar:

(1) Flat capitulum form.

(2) Decorative capitulum type.

(3) White ray floret color.

(4) Diameter across face of capitulum up to 75 mm.

(5) Tall plant height.

(6) Spreading branching pattern.

(7) Average natural season flowering date of September 15.

(8) Average flowering response period of seven (7) weeks inphotoperiodic controlled flowering programs.

The accompanying photographic drawings show typical inflorescence andfoliage characteristics of Starfire. Sheet 1 is a color photograph ofStarfire. Sheet 2 is a black and white photograph showing three views ofthe inflorescence of Starfire. Sheet 3 is a black and white photographshowing the leaves of Starfire at three stages of growth (mature,intermediate, immature).

Of the many commercially available cultivars known to the presentinventors, the most similar existing cultivar in comparison to Starfireis the ivory white cultivar Patriot, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No.3,897.

Reference is made to attached Chart A which compares certaincharacteristics of Starfire with the same characteristics of Patriot. Itwill be noted that in comparison to Patriot, Starfire has no ivory huein the ray floret color, taller plant height and larger diameter acrossface of capitulum. The capitulum form, capitulum type, average naturalseason flower date, branching pattern, and plant spread of Starfire aresimilar to those characteristics of Patriot.

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Color Chart. The color values were determinedbetween 10:00 and 10:30 A.M. On Sept. 15, 1981 under 150 foot-candlelight intensity at Salinas, Calif.

Botanical Classification: Chrysanthemum morifolium, Ramat., cv Starfire.

INFLORESCENCE

A. Capitulum:

Form.--Flat.

Type.--Decorative.

Permanence.--3 To 4 weeks.

Diameter across face.--60 To 75 mm.

B. Corolla of ray florets:

Color (abaxial).--155D.

Color (adaxial).--155D.

C. Corolla of disc florets:

Color.--14A.

D. Reproductive organs:

Androecium.--Present disc florets.

Gynoecium.--Present both ray and disc florets.

PLANT

A. General appearance: Spreading branching pattern; tall height.

B. Foliage:

Foliage (abaxial).--147A.

Foliage (adaxial).--146A.

                  CHART A                                                         ______________________________________                                        COMPARISON OF STARFIRE AND PATRIOT                                            ______________________________________                                                                        AVERAGE                                                RAY       CAPITULUM    NATURAL SEA-                                           FLORET    FORM         SON FLOWER                                    CULTIVAR COLOR     AND TYPE     DATE                                          ______________________________________                                        STARFIRE WHITE     FLAT         SEPTEMBER 15                                                     DECORATIVE                                                 PATRIOT  IVORY     FLAT         SEPTEMBER 20                                           WHITE     DECORATIVE                                                 ______________________________________                                                     BRANCHING DIAMETER ACROSS                                                 PLANT     PATTERN AND  FACE OF                                       CULTIVAR HEIGHT    SPREAD       CAPITULUM                                     ______________________________________                                        STARFIRE TALL      SPREADING    60 to 75 mm.                                  PATRIOT  SHORT     COMPACT      55 to 65 mm.                                                     SEMI-UPRIGHT                                               ______________________________________                                        COMPARISONS MADE OF PLANTS GROWN UNDER                                        NATURAL SEASON OUTDOOR FIELD CONDITIONS                                       IN SALINAS, CALIFORNIA                                                        ______________________________________                                    

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Chrysanthemum morifolium,Ramat., plant known by the name Starfire, as described and illustrated,and particularly characterized as to uniqueness by the combinedcharacteristics of flat capitulum form, decorative capitulum type,durable inflorescence, white ray floret color, diameter across face ofcapitulum up to 75 mm., tall plant height, spreading branching pattern,average natural season flowering date of September 15, and averageflowering response period of seven (7) weeks in photoperiodic controlledshort day programs.